Questions & Answers

Here you can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning our cruises.

Contact

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How can I contact BLS Navigation?

The BLS Navigation Travel Centre is there for you from Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 12.00 hours and from 13.00 to 17.00 hours (Saturday from May to October: from 09.00 to 12.00 hours). However, our customer service team is also happy to help you outside of these opening hours (daily from 07.00 to 19.00 hours).

Lake Thun table reservations

Lake Brienz table reservations

Tickets & prices

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Where can I buy tickets?

During spring, summer and autumn, all tickets and combined tickets can be purchased aboard our boats and at the boat landing stages in Thun, Spiez, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, as well as Bönigen and Brienz. The boat landing stages are closed during winter (with the exception of Thun). We do not operate our cruises on Lake Brienz during winter.

Can cruise tickets also be purchased at SBB train stations throughout Switzerland?

Yes, cruises can simply be integrated into round-trip tickets. You can also buy tickets for certain legs of our cruises at virtually all sales points in Switzerland. Please note that special offers and day tickets can be purchased directly from BLS Navigation.

Can I buy the ticket before the actual day of travel?

Yes, you can also buy your ticket ahead of the actual day of travel.

What are the payment options?

Cash (CHF and EUR); Reka, PostFinance and EC cards; as well as all major credit cards.

Does BLS Navigation offer general monthly season tickets or multi-trip tickets?

Discounts

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Are special tickets available for birthdays?

On your birthday, you can travel for free all day in first class aboard all our scheduled cruises. You will receive your free day ticket upon submission of your ID card or passport at our sales points and aboard our boats.

Are discounts offered to children and seniors?

Children under the age of 6 travel for free, while children aged 6–15.99 only have to pay half-price. The Junior travelcard and Children’s Co-travelcard (for children aged 6–15.99) are valid on all scheduled cruises.

No discounts are available to seniors.

Are special day tickets available?

You can benefit from our special price for Monday travellers on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

With the BLS Navigation day ticket, you can travel as much as you want on any of our scheduled cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Group travel

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Are group discounts available?

For groups of 10 people or more, we offer a discounted group rate (20 % reduction on the single-person rate). To claim the discount, the group ticket must be purchased and paid for by one person.

Do groups have to make an advance reservation?

For groups of 10 people or more, we recommend making a reservation in order to guarantee that all passengers can travel.

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Cruises / Miscellaneous

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Do the boats wait for delayed trains?

Our cruises are subject to a regular timetable with various connections which must be adhered to. The boats can wait a few minutes, but no longer. The best thing to do is talk to the train staff so that they can inform the boat of the delay.

Can dogs come aboard?

Dogs less than 30 cm tall at the shoulder can travel for free as long as they are in a suitable basket or bag. All other dogs require a valid dog ticket: 1/2 price, and no more than CHF 8.00 (dog day ticket)

The SBB 1-day travelpass for dogs is also valid aboard our scheduled cruises.

Can I bring my bike aboard the boat with me?

Subject to space, we are happy to transport your bike. Cost per bike: 1/2 price, and no more than CHF 8.00 (bike day ticket) Please note: we cannot guarantee to transport your bike. The national SBB 1-day bike passes and annual passes are not valid for BLS Navigation.

Do the boats operate all year?

Our boats travel all year on Lake Thun. We do not operate our cruises on Lake Brienz during the winter months.

Do the boats also operate in wind, storms, snow and fog?

Our boats operate in virtually all weather. We cannot guarantee schedule adherence in storms, thick fog, or high or low water. (Where possible, we will inform you on site).

Can I bring along a picnic?

Picnicking on board is permitted. However, please note that the tables in the boat restaurant are reserved for diners.

Is smoking permitted on board the boats?

Smoking is permitted on the outside decks. We ask that you please use the ashtrays provided. Smoking is not permitted in any of the indoor areas.

Is the playing of music permitted on board the boats?

The playing of music on board our cruise boats is not permitted, as these are modes of public transport carrying many passengers.

Catering

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Is food available on board the boats?

Our catering partner is happy to cater to our guests on board the Lake Thun and Lake Brienz boats. If you would like to enjoy a lunch, breakfast or drink, please reserve a table in the restaurant.

Food available on board the cruise boats

Lake Thun table reservations

Lake Brienz table reservations

Vouchers

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Can BLS and SBB gift vouchers be redeemed for a cruise and at the on-board restaurant?

Gift vouchers can simply be redeemed for a cruise. However, you unfortunately cannot use them to pay for onboard catering (Lake Thun Boat Catering Service and Gastro Lac). What happens with expired vouchers? Expired gift vouchers with the BLS Navigation value stamp will still be accepted on board the boats and at the boat landing stages after they have expired. This does not apply to vouchers with the Hotel Freienhof logo or to promotional and competition vouchers.

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Questions concerning travelling with disabilities

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Are the boats wheelchair-accessible?

Apart from our three smallest boats (MS Interlaken, MS Iseltwald and MS Oberhofen), all vessels are wheelchair-accessible. The accessways to the outside decks and restaurants in second class are level. Aboard MS Berner Oberland and MS Thun, the first-class area can also be accessed by lift.

Do travel companions of passengers with disabilities travel for free?

Travel companions of passengers with the “Disabled Passenger’s ID Card ” travel for free on our cruises. This discount is not comprehensively available on our special culinary cruises; here, the travel companion must pay the child fee.